Meethotamulla:Long term solution only after process of stabilising dump, say experts
The long term solution to the Meethotamulla dump - its removal, and the rehabilitation of the site - will only be decided once the short term plan is implemented, officials have said.
The short term plan that includes stabilising the dump and controlling further collapse would itself take four to five months, and it is only thereafter that a decision can be taken on how much of the garbage at the dump could be removed and what can be done to the land it was on, they elaborated.
According to Senior Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Dr. Mahesh Jayaweera, any talk about completely removing the garbage dump at this point is premature as ongoing efforts to stabilise the dump will go on until August or September. Dr. Jayaweera, heads the expert committee, functioning under the Department of Megapolis and Western Development, appointed to oversee the issue. Dr. Jayaweera said a lot of reactions were taking place beneath the surface of the dump and those engaged in stabilising the dump need to be mindful of methane and other gases, as well as water pressure. “We have to monitor the area constantly. If we move hastily, there is a real danger to the lives of those working at the site,” he said.
The stablilising process is being done in 12 steps - draining out water trapped inside the dump, installing pipe piezometers to monitor pressure development in danger areas, displacement monitoring, identifying danger zones and conducting evacuations, debris removal and stabilization of the dump’s toe area and establishment of an early warning system.
The Megapolis and Western Development Ministry, the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB), Disaster Management Center (DMC), National Building Research Organization (NBRO), Geological Survey and Mines Bureau GSMB), the tri forces, the Survey Department and the Universities of Moratuwa and Peradeniya are involved in the process.
The authorities will also incorporate proposals submitted by a team of Japanese experts who conducted a study of the Meethotamulla garbage dump. The team handed in their final report to President Maithripala Sirisena earlier this week.
The dump at its highest point, is 48.8 metres high, officials said. The ultimate target is to reduce the height to less than 20 metres. This however, can only be considered after it is stabilised.
One key area of concern is the impending rains from mid-May with the start of the southwest monsoon. The heavy inter-monsoonal rains experienced over several days prior to the National New Year are believed to have precipitated the dump’s collapse. Steep slopes are likely to fall if rainwater absorption is allowed, according to experts. “The next three months will be critical for us,” Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka told journalists on Wednesday (26), underlining concerns over the expect-